Just got a new trailer, and may be in trouble with GVWR. Advice needed.

[tcartwri]

2nd question: Am I ok being at 8k GVW as i'm only towing locally? Not worried about the tow vehicle, just about damaging the trailer with an extra 1k on it if i'm hauling with the rototill or other implement attached.

You should be putting at least 1K on the ball, so you are in fact ok with the current trailer. Just.

 

[downslope]

You should be putting at least 1K on the ball, so you are in fact ok with the current trailer. Just.

If the manufacturer's tag on the trailer is printed 7,000 GVW is it really OK to load it to 8K just because it has two 3.5K axles and 1000 lb is on the hitch? How do we know the rest of the trailer (frame, hitch, etc.) is built to handle 8K?

Big Tex even states in the specs that their 70CH trailer has a coupler rated at 7,000#.

7CH Tandem Axle Car Hauler | Big Tex Trailers

 

[tcartwri]

If the manufacturer's tag on the trailer is printed 7,000 GVW is it really OK to load it to 8K just because it has two 3.5K axles and 1000 lb is on the hitch? How do we know the rest of the trailer (frame, hitch, etc.) is built to handle 8K?

Big Tex even states in the specs that their 70CH trailer has a coupler rated at 7,000#.

7CH Tandem Axle Car Hauler | Big Tex Trailers

I'm just saying that that's the way the DOT is going to look at it if he's scaled.

 

[4570Man]

You should be putting at least 1K on the ball, so you are in fact ok with the current trailer. Just.

Not exactly. The trailer deck weighs more than that 1000 pounds.

 

[tcartwri]

Not exactly. The trailer deck weighs more than that 1000 pounds.

Unless I read it wrong, his scaled weight was 8K. Trailer is rated for 7K and has 3500lb axles. Weight of the trailer is already included.

 

[Sprinklerman]

They generally weigh the axles , as long as there is no more than 7 K on the axles and not over hitch load thats what the dot is worried about

 

[4570Man]

Unless I read it wrong, his scaled weight was 8K. Trailer is rated for 7K and has 3500lb axles. Weight of the trailer is already included.

I haven't read the whole thread. I read the guesstimate weights on the first page.

 

[downslope]

They generally weigh the axles , as long as there is no more than 7 K on the axles and not over hitch load thats what the dot is worried about

What does "not over hitch load" mean? Does DOT just compare the scaled axle weight to the ratings on the receiver, ball, coupler, etc, or do they measure the actual hitch weight? I suppose enforcement of these things can vary a lot by state or jurisdiction.

 

[Sprinklerman]

My excursion , says 500 lbs on the hitch and 5 K trailer without a weight distribution , 1K on the hitch and 10K trailer with bars .

And most dot cops look for the obvious . But if you are loaded and look to be heavy and the truck is sagging they may weigh your axles on the trailer , then on your truck , something over weight , pay dearly

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Going off the manufacturer listed weights for the trailer and cab.

I got the trailer for $3k, about $700 under MSRP. I could sell it pretty easily for what I paid for it. Looking around at a different dealer and they have a Reiser 10k GVWR 20' equipment trailer for $3,745.00

Don't know anything about that brand.

Reiser is a good "economy" brand. Better than or comparable to Big Tex.